Roll tension mechanism for drawing frames



H. DAWSON EI'AL A ROLL TENSION MECHNISM FOR'DRAWING FRAMES Nov. 18, 1952 Filed Dec. '3, 1949 INVENTORS Harold' .Dawson an af lus'seLLH. Valley B v Y n TT/V/-V H. DAWSON. ETAL -ROLL TENSION MEGHANISM RoR DRAWING FRAMES l vFiled Dec. a, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 Ud www N .al lt oe r@ as M Nov. 18, 1952 H. DAwsoN Erm. 2,618,026

Rom, TENSION MECHANISM FOR'DRAWING FRAMES Filed nec. s, 1949 4 sheets-sheet s c l 6g 4- INVENTORS Harold Dawson andRusJellf/.Vlley Nov. '18, 1952 H. DAWSON ETAL 2,618,026

Rom. TENSION MFcHANIsM FoR DRAWING FRAMES Filed Dec; s, 1949 4 sheets-sheet 4 INVENTORS Harold 'Dawson met Rssell. H Valleg 5 3 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 18, A1952 UNITED NSTATES PATENT oFFxce 1 A@2,618,026 RoIlL'TNsIoNMECHANTsM FOR DRAW-ING" .1 i FRAMES, Harold Dawson Russell H.Valley,Pawtucket,

R.- I., assignors,`-by mesne assignments-to lipiiatio December s, 1949, serial No. 130,966]

6 claims. (c1. v11a- 135) This invention relates in general to drawing frames and other similar textile machines in which textile fibers in the form of a plurality of slivers orrovings are drafted by passage between successive pairs or sets of top and bottom drawing rolls which are urged together by downwardly applied pressure exerted on the top rolls. More particularly, the invention relates to a spring tension type Vtop roll pressure mechanism applied to textile machines of the above mentioned class as a substitute for the weight system usually employed therein;

The present invention has for its general objects to provide an improved spring tension mechanism and apparatus for applying downward pressure o n the ends of each of the top rolls of each pair of drawing rolls usual in such machines; for applying by a xed preloading of the spring tension devices the same weighting-effect on all top rolls in the same longitudinal line; and also, for applying by dilerent xed preloadings of the spring tension devices associated with theA top rolls in each longitudinal line different degrees of predetermined .tension and corresponding variations in weighting effect on `the top. rolls of'eachsetin the series from front to rear of the drawing mechanism. A further object .of the inventionis to provide an improved tension relieving arrangement in connection with such spring tension mechanism whereby the spring tension weighting effect on all the top rolls can be either simultaneously applied or released whenever desired."

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more apparent by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration in the accompanying drawings and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

. In,..the drawings:

. Fig. v1 uis a .front elevation of a portion of a .textile drawing frame .showing the improved top roll pressure mechanism of the present invention associated therewith; y

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly Ain vertical section taken on the line 2-2 in Fig. l; v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the right hand end portion of the drawing frame shown in Fig. 1, .andt'being partly in elevation and partly in sectivon,showing the back set of top and bottom drawing rolls of the drawing mechanism having weighting pressure applied thereto by the spring tension device of the improved top roll tension 2 mechanism of the .present invention, and further showing the positions which the lifter bars, swivel plates and eccentric cam move to when the top roll pressure applying and relieving mechanism is actuated to apply tension on the top rolls;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammaticview representing in full lines the manner in which a tensional force is applied to a set of top and bottom drawing rolls by the top roll tension applying and relieving mechanism of the present invention, and in dot and dash lines the manner in which such tensional pressure and weighting eflect on the top roll may be released therefrom whenever desired; Y

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in Fig..3;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a pull rod;

. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section through a tube enclosure for the spring of one of the spring tension units;

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of. one of the clip members forming a guideway crosswise of a spring tube enclosure for accommodating a lifter bar; and

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of one of the swivel plates. forming4 a linkl connection between the tension rod and thefeccentrically mounted cam member. l

Referring to -thedrawings the machine comprises in general the' headend frame member or leg I0 andthe intermediate leg or Samson II connected by the usuallrollbeam I2 which is horizontally 'disposedand of inverted- U-shape cross-sectionsuitably aiiixed to the upper ends of the legs'l and II.. Mounted upon the top faceof the roll beam I2 are a plurality of roll Y stand brackets I3 each adjustably supporting in a conventional manner a plurality of roll stands I4, see Fig. 2. The roll stand brackets I3 extend laterally of the roll beam I2 and they are'suitably affixed thereto at` appropriate spaced locationstherealong for supporting in an elevated position above the top of the roll beam I2 a series of-sets or pairs of top and bottom drawing rolls which serve to lgrip a Vstrand of the ber, such as sliver', therebetween and'constitutethe fiber drafting mechanism of the machine. As shown in Fig'.' 2, the roll stands I leach are provided with a vertical notch I 5l (see Fig. 2) within which is mounted in the same roll stand the journal -portions of the bottom drawing rolls I6 and the stationary loose top roll bushings I'I whchrotatably support therein the ends of the coacting top ldrawing rolls I8; The. bushings I'I are of usual construction havingat sides which t into the vcylindrical 'collar member 3 I'.

The top drawing rolls i8 may be of the cushion type here shown wherein the active ber working portion is covered with an outer covering of leather, cork, or a suitable synthetic rubber-like composition but, if desired, these rolls may be of the metallic fluted type instead. The top rolls are driven solely by contact with the rotating bottom drawing rolls I6, which are of the usual metallic uted construction.

The bottom drawing rolls IBof the four pairs Y or sets here shown are of usual construction and on continuous shafts which extend longitudinally of the frame for substatnally the entire length of the particular head unit with which they are associated and driven from suitable gearing, not shown, for obtaining the correct relative speeds and directions of rotation of the bottom rolls I5 to secure parallelism of the fibers and the desired total draft of the combined sliver when the card slivers fed thereto are doubled and drafted in travelling through the entire series of rolls which operate on the combined slivers successively to pull them forwardly.

The foregoing construction is typical of the general structural arrangement of a four roll drawing mechanism of a conventional drawing frame, of which in the present instance, Fig. l f

depicts a single head unit of two deliveries only but in practice such a machine usually incorporates two or more head units, each being of four, six or eight `deliveries to a head, and combined to make a single frame which will meet the production and space requirements of the mill.

The top drawing rolls I8 are forced downwardly into their cooperative relationship with their companion bottom drawing rolls I6 by downward pressure applied individually to both ends of each .top roll by means of hanger hooks which are suspended by their upper hooked ends from the stationary loose top roll bushings I'I, the upper end of each hanger hook being engaged within a peripheral groove 2I formed in the bushings I1.

of the improved spring tension devices which are employed for applying the desired amount of downward pull to the hanger hooks 20 whereby the necessary pressure and gripping action between the top and bottom rolls of each set is obtained to prevent slippage of the sliver or slivers in passing between the rolls during drafting.

The pull rods 24 by which downward pressure isapplied to corresponding ends of the top rolls extend downwardly from the hanger hooks 20 through the usual transverse slot 21 in the top face of the roll beam I2 and each pull rod is urged downwardly by a compression spring 28 which loosely encircles the body portion 29 of the `pull rod 24 that passes longitudinally therethrough. The pull rod is operatively connected with the lower end of the spring 28 and extends upwardly therethrough. To this end, the spring 28 is enclosed loosely within altube 30 and bears at its lower end against the upper en d face of a The upper end of the spring 28 bears against the inner end face of an annular washer-like stop member 32 which is held fast with the tube 3U by the crimped-in upper end portion 33 thereof (see Figs. 3 and 7). The collar member 3l is slidably mounted on the pull .rod 24 and is held by the tension of the spring 28 in firm engagement with a U-washer 34 inserted in the peripheral groove 35 cut in the pull rod 24 adjacent its lower end. A snap-ring 36 inserted in the peripheral groove 31 in the body portion 29 of the pull rod acts as an external stop for the pull rod when it is detached from slotted hole 22 of the hanger hook 20 and subsequently held by thespring Vtension in a retracted state within the tube .30 vwith the ksnap-ring 36 pulled against the outer face of the washer 32. Thus, when the pull rod 24, spring 28 and the collar member 3l are assembled within the tube 30, these parts then will form a unitary pressure-applying device in which the spring member thereof will be preloaded to the desired initial tension by the collar member 3 I. Thus, the length of the collar member 3| is made such as to control the initial compression of the spring 28 whereby when the associated tube 30 of the spring tension device 25 and the lifter bar to which it is anchored are moved bodily downwardly in unison upon appropriate rotation by the cam mechanism hereinafter to be described the spring 28 will apply the desired degree of downward pressure on the individual top roll with which the hanger hook ZIJ and the pull rod '24 of the spring tension device 25 have pressure-transmitting relationship.

Since the most desirable weighting effect on the top rolls varies with the particular operating conditions of the drawing mechanism, control of the tension applied to the top rolls can be obtained, in practice, by the use of interchangeable collar members 3l having the same diameter but of different lengths which are predetermined whereby substitution of one collar for another of a different length within the spring tension devices 25, as depicted in Fig. 2, will vary the pull of the spring 28 on the pull rod 24 and will correspondingly vary the weighting eiect thereof on the associated top roll when said weighting apparatus is in a pressure-applying relationship therewith. Thus, the spring member 2B in each of. the spring tension units 2'5 can be preloaded to a, predetermined degree of initial compression considered to be the proper tensioned force to be exerted by the device 25 and applied as downward pressure on an end of a top roll for its particular operating location in the drawing mechanism.

The following table lists some of the weights commonly used on top rolls of drawing frames when ordinary work is being run through the machine.

used with the spring tension unit at each -erid ofv the front top roll and th'at collar members 3|` of shorter lengths are used inthe pairs of spring tension :units toward the back, viz., at each end of the second, third and back top rolls respectively. The reduction in weighting is not too great, the most weighting effect, viz., pounds, in this instance, being applied at each end of each front top roll with 18 pounds, 16 pounds, and 14 pounds respectively being exerted on each end of each "of the second, third and back top rolls respectively. These weighting pressures, of course, are merely illustrative and conform to those listed in the first line of the above table but they may be varied according to the conditions, viz., the speed of the drawing rolls and the bulk ofthe iibers being'handled. o

VAs shown in Fig; 7 the lower end'portion of the tube of each of the spring tension devices 25 has'two longitudinal slots 40 and 4I of rectangular form cut through the walls of the tube at diametrically opposite points of the lower part thereof. A pair of U-shaped clip members 42 and 43, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 8, extend cross-wise ofthe tube and connect the topiand bottom'ends of the slots 4,0 and 4I to forma transverse guideway 44 of rectangular cross-section at the lower part of the tube by means of which the tube is anchored to one of a series of horizontal lifter bars 45 which are disposed below the 'roll beam I2 in substantially vertical alignment withV the axes of their associated pairs'ofydrawing rolls I6 and I8 and extend longitudinally of the machine frame. The lifter bars 45 are each of rectangular cross-section and as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 they extend through the guideways 44 of the tubes 30 in addition to having a snug iit with the clip members 42 and 43 thereof. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the tubes 30 of the spring tension devices 25 which .apply the weighting effect on the top rolls in the same row or line of the drawing mechanism are anchored to the same lifter bar 45 for bodily movement upwards or downwards when the lifter b ar is raised or lowered whenever it isl desired to relieve the top rolls from the weighting eifect of the spring tension or to apply the downward pressure exerted thereby on the rolls.

The lifter bars 45 are disposed one behind the` other in spaced parallel relationship and eachlies in a vertical plane containing the axes of the associated pair of top and bottom drawing rolls I8 and I6 respectively (see Fig. 2). Separate cam mechanisms are provided one at each end portion of the lifter bars arranged for manually raising and lowering the bars simultaneously. Thus, each of said cam mechanisms has a cam member which is here shown as being in the form of a cylindrical roll 48. The roll 48 is eccentrically mounted in the machine frame under the lifter bars 45 by means of a shaft 49 fixed to and extending 'through the roll 48 and journaled `Aat its ends in bearing members 50I and 5I 'atthe lower ends of the front and rear brackets 52 and 53 respectively. 'I'he brackets 52 and 53 are suitably aliixed at their upper ends to the depending sides of the roll beam I2 and hang downwardly therefrom.

Extending loosely through all of the lifter bars 45' in the 'direction from front to rear through holes 54 in the bars 45 isV a tension rod 55 having its ends extending through the vertical guideways 56 and 5l in the brackets 52 and 53. Washers 58 mounted on the distal ends of the .rod extended outside of thel brackets 52 and 53 and Aretained in place by suitable 'snap rings 59 prevent accidental endwise shift of the rod 55 from the brackets 52 and 53 and the bars 45. Suspended from the transversely disposed tension rod 55 at locations thereon above but relatively near the opposite `ends of the eccentric roll 48 are a pair of depending swivel plates 60 which form the link connections between the cam roll 48 and the tension rod 55 for actuating the tension rod up and down in the guideways 56 and 51 to raise and lower the bars |45 upon appropriate rotation of the eccentric roll 48. The swivel plates 60 are provided at their lower ends with the enlarged circular holes 6I (see Fig. 3) through which the cam roll 48 extends and has a running t therein for relative rotation thereto. lThe swivel plates Si) are provided at their upper ends with the holes 63 by means of which they are suspended from the tension rod 55 and swivel loosely thereon whereby they can swing sidewise Whenever the eccentric roll 48 is partially rotated, such as for example, 90. This is indicated by the dot and dash positions of the roll 48 and the tension rod 55 in Fig. 4, and the handle I65 in Fig. 1 respectively. 'Ihe handle 65 is afhxed as by a pin 66 to the extended front portion 61 of the shaft 49 of each cam mechanism and provides means by which the operator may manually turn the shaft 49 together with the roll 48 to elevate or to pull down the tubes 30 simultaneously when it is desired to relieve or to apply downward pressure on the top rolls simultaneously. Thus, the full-line positions of handles 65 in Fig. 1 correspond with the position of handle 65 in Figs. 2 and 3 in which the eccentric roll 48 has been turned through a 90 angle to move the tension rod 55, the lifter bars 45 and their associated tubes 3l) bodily downwardly whereby the downwardly directed pressure exerted on the pull rods 24 by the springs 38 within their respective tubes 38 will be transmitted through the pull rods 24 and the hanger hooks 20 and applied simultaneously to the'top rolls I 8. `In the dot and dash position of handles 65 in Fig. 1 the weighting effect or downward pressure applied by the spring tension units 25 to the ends of each of the top rolls I 8 is substantially relieved simultaneously from all the topr rolls.

It will be noted that the arrangement of the foregoing top roll pressure-applying and -relieving mechanism is made such that partial rotation of the two or more cam rolls 48 in one direction will raise all the lifter bars 45 and the tubes 30 anchored thereto bodily and in unison to relieve the weighting effect of the springs 28 on the associated t-op rolls I 8, and that partial rotation of the two or more cam rolls 48 in the opposite direction will move the lifter bars 45 and their associated tubes 38 bodily downwardly in unison to produce the desired degree of pull of the springs 28 on their associated pull rods 24 and hanger. hooks 20 to apply the requisite degree of downward pressure rolls disposed Vin the same longitudinal row in the drawing mechanism. Thus, the bars 45 are here shown as being of a length to 'mount the tubes of the tension units 25 for weighting the top rolls of a number of deliveries. Consequently, it will be necessary to space individual lifting mechanisms including eccentric rolls 48 and associated actuating shafts 49 and their operating handles 65 at suitable intervals under the bars e so that the presssure may be relieved on the top rolls of a portion of the deliveries of a head when desired and also so that the applied loading of the springs effected by the bars 45 and associated tubes 30 through rotation of the eccentric rolls 48 will be uniform on the ends of each top roll occupying the same line or row of the head. In other words, all front top rolls will have applied at each end of each roll the same downward pressure or spring tension. Similarly, all second, third and back top rolls will have applied at their ends the respective tensions of their associated spring tension units which will be equal on all top rolls in the same longitudinal line.

In connection with the construction of the spring tension units 25 described, the parts of each individual tension unit are assembled by inserting the lower part of the pull rod 2li end- Wise into the tube 30 through the axial hole in the washer 32 until the stop 36 abuts the washer, inserting the spring 28 from the open end of the tube over the body portion 29 of the pull rod thus enclosed within the tube 33, sliding the collar member 3| on the pull rod and against the lower end of the spring 28, and then forcing the collar 3l inwardly of the tube to move it along the rod and compress the springs to a position which will enable the U-washer 3@ to be mounted in the groove 35 in the pull rod beneath the collar 3l.

When the installing pressure applied to the spring is released, the parts of the spring devices 25 will assume the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3 with the respective springs 28 preloaded, i. e.,

compressed to the desired initial tension, between L 32 fixed by anchoring of the tube 3d to the associated lifter bar @5. Thus, the compressed length of each spring 23 is deiinitely fixed. By using in the devices 25 individual compression springs`23 each of established uniform strength, the tensional force of the individual spring units 25, within each group of different tensions used in the drawing frame, may be made substantially uniform and capable of exerting a pull oi a definite force.

What is claimed is:

1. In a drawing frame having top rolls, in combination,l a spring tension unit for each top roll comprising a tube member having an annular upper end wall, the lower side wall portions of said tube having openings therethrough at diametrically opposite points, a lifter bar inserted through said wall openings of said tube and anchoring the tube for movement bodily therewith, a pull rod slidable in said end wall having a part housed within the interior of said tubel and connected at its upper end to one of said top rolls, a compression spring mounted interiorly of said tube on the part of said pull rod enclosed therein, the upper end of said spring abutting the inner facefof said end wall, means on said pull rod to support the lower end of said spring and transmit the pull to said rod and move it downwardly, and means to selectively raise or lower said liftable bar and to thereby relieve or apply the spring tension on said rod and the associated top roll.

2. In a 'drawing frame having top rolls, in combination, a spring tension unit for each top roll comprising a tube member having anannular upper end wall, the lower end portion of said tube walls being longitudinally slotted 'at diametrically opposite points, a liftable bar inserted through said slotted wall portions of said tube and anchoring the tube therewith, a pull rod slidable in said end wall having a part housed within the interior of said tube and connected at its upped end to one of said top rolls, a compression spring mounted interiorly of said tube on the part of said pull rod enclosed therein, the upper end 'of said spring abutting the inner face of said end wall, a cylindrical collar slidable on said pull rod and engaged by the lower end of said spring, means to secure said collar against downward movement beyond a xed location on said pull rod, and means to vertically lift said liftable bar and the associated tube bodily and reduce the compression of said spring and to thereby relieve the spring tension on the pull rod and the associated top roll.

3. In a drawing frame having top rolls, and hanger hooks suspended from the ends of each top roll, in combination, spring tension units for applying pressure to said top rolls through said hanger hooks, each of said spring tension units comprising a tube member having an annular upper end wall, the lower end portion of said tube side walls being longitudinally slotted at diametrically opposite points, a pull rod slidable in said end wall having a part housed Within the interior of said tube and connected at its upper end to one of said hanger hooks, a compression spring mounted interiorly of said tube on the part of said pull rod enclosed therein, the upper end of said spring abutting the inner face of said upper end wall of the tube, a cylindrical collar slidable on said pull rod and engaged by the lower end of said spring, means to secure said collar against downward movement beyond a xed location on said pull rod; a liftable bar inserted through said slotted wall portions of the tubes of a plurality of spring tension units and anchoring the tubes thereto for bodily movement therewith; and means to vertically lift said lifter bar and the associated tubes bodily and reduce the compression of the respective springs within said tubes and to thereby simultaneously relieve the respective spring tensions on the pull rods of the associated spring tension units and consequently the downwardly applied pressure transmitted by said pull rods and their associated hanger hooks on the ends of a plurality of top rolls.

4. The combination in a textile drawing frame provided with a series of top and bottom drawing rolls, and hanger hooks suspended from each end of each top roll, of spring tension units each including a compression spring, a tube enclosing said spring, the lower part of the tube walls being provided with openings therethrough at diametrically opposite points, and a pull rod operatively connected with said spring and detachably connected at its upper end with a hanger hook; a plurality of lifter bars each inserted through said wall openings of the tubes of a pair of spring tension units for applying pressure to the ends @f a top roll; rod membersextendng loosely through said lifterbars adjacent their ends and supporting all of said lifter bars; and rotary camrmeans operatively connected to said rod members, the arrangement being such that partial rotation of said cam in one direction will raise said lifter bars and the tubes anchored therewith bodily to relieve the weighting effect of the springs on the associated top rolls, and that partial rotation of said cam in the opposite direction will move the lifter bars and said tubes bodily downwardly to produce the desired degree of pull of said springs on the pull rods and the associated hanger hooks to apply the requisite degree of downward pressure on the associated top rolls.

5. The combination in a textile drawing frame provided with a series of pairs of top and bottom drawing rolls, and hanger hooks suspended from each end of each top roll, of spring tension units each including a compression spring, a tube enclosing said spring, the lower .part of the tube walls being longitudinally slotted at diametrically oppoite points, and a pull rod operatively connected at its lower end with said spring and detachably connected at its upper end with a hanger hook; a plurality of lifter bars each inserted through the slotted wall portions of the tubes of a pair of spring tension units for applying pressure to the ends of a tcp roll; rod members extending loosely through said lifter bars adjacent their ends and supporting all of said lifter bars; brackets fixed to the framework of the machine and provided with vertical slots in which are accommodated the respective ends of said rod members for supporting the rods and guiding them for vertical movement to permit raising or lowering of the bars when removing or applying the weighting pressure to the top rolls; rotatable cam means below each of said rod members; and link means swivelly mounted on each rod rod member, said cam means being journaled for relative rotation in said link means whereby they will lift the rod members in said brackets and raise the lifter bars and the tubes of the spring tension units affixed thereto bodily to remove the weighting. pressure on the associated top rolls when the cam means are partially turned around in one direction, and when turned partially around in the opposite direction said cam means will cause the link means to move downwardly and produce corresponding movement of the rod members in the slotted brackets and elect simultaneously lowering of the lifter bars and the tubes of the spring tension units carried by said bars to apply the requisite weighting pressure on the associated top rolls.

6. The combination in a textile drawing frame provided with a series of top and bottom drawing rolls, and hanger hooks suspended from each end of each top roll, of spring tension units each includinga compression spring, a tube enclosing said spring, the lower part of the tube walls being provided with opeings therethrough at diametrically opposite points, and a pull rod operatively connected with said spring and detachably connested at its upper end with a hanger hook; a plurality of lifter bars each inserted through said wall openings of the tubes of a pair of spring tension units for applying pressure to the ends of a top roll; rod members extending loosely through said lifter bars adjacent their ends and supporting all of said lifter bars; brackets attached to the framework of the machine and having vertical guideways in which are accommodated the respective ends of said rod members for supporting the rods and guiding them for vertical movement to permit raising or loweringI of the bars when removing or applying the weighting pressure to the top rolls; cylindrical rolls eccentrically mounted for rotation in said brackets and disposed beneath said rod members; and a pair of swivel plates loosely mounted at their upper ends on each of said rod members and provided at their lower ends with enlarged circular holes through which the end portions of said eccentric rolls are inserted and have a running t for relative rotation thereto whereby partial rotation of said eccentric rolls in one direction will raise said rod members, the lifter bars, and the tubes carried therewith bodily to relieve the weighting eiect of the springs on the associated top rolls, and partial rotation of said eccentric rolls in the opposite direction will lower said rod members, the lifter bars, and the tubes thereon and move them downwardly for sulicient distance to produce the desired degree of pull of said springs on .the pull rods and the associated hanger hooks to apply the requisite degree of downward pressure on the associated top rolls.

HAROLD DAWSON. RUSSELL H. VALLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 575,558 Tweedale et al. .Q Jan. 19, 1897 1,241,586 Vales et al. Oct. 2, 1917 `2,111,926 Eves Mar. 22, 1938 2,286,616 Hendrickson June 16, 1942 2,307,670 Cunningham Jan. 5, 1943 2,373,176 Dickson Apr..10, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,749 Great Britain of 1857 

